Cutter for use in automatic yarn transfer system

ABSTRACT

A winder for yarn and the like, having the automatic yarn transfer system of the present invention, includes a drive roll and at least two rotatable chucks each of which is adapted to carry a bobbin tube and is movable into and out of driven engagement with the drive roll. A traversing arrangement traverses a running yarn which is being wound onto one of the chucks, so as to form a yarn package on the latter. A transfer arrangement effects automatic transfer of the running yarn from the one chuck, upon forming of the yarn package thereon, to the other of the chucks. When the yarn package has been formed on the other chuck the running yarn is then automatically transferred again to the first-mentioned chuck.

United States Patent 91 1 Miller Oct. 29, 1974 1 CUTTER FOR USE INAUTOMATIC YARN TRANSFER SYSTEM [75] Inventor: Harry B. Miller, Hopedale,Mass.

[73] Assignee: Industrie Werke Karlsruhe Augsburg Aktiengesellschaft,Karlsruhe, Germany 22 Filed: May 25,1973

21 Appl. No.: 364,106

3,760,674 9/1973 Temple 83/639 X Primary Examiner-J. M. MeisterAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [5 7 ABSTRACT A winder foryarn and the like, having the automatic yarn transfer system of thepresent invention, includes a drive roll and at least two rotatablechucks each of which is adapted to carry a bobbin tube and is movableinto and out of driven engagement with the drive roll. A traversingarrangement traverses a running yarn which is being wound onto one ofthe chucks, so as to form a yarn package on the latter. A transferarrangement effects automatic transfer of the running yarn from the onechuck, upon forming of the yarn package thereon, to the other of thechucks. When the yarn package has been formed on the other chuck therunning yarn is then automatically transferred again to thefirst-mentioned chuck.

7 Claims, 28 Drawing Figures PAIENIEBMI 29 I874 sum 02 or -10PAIENIEBIBI 29 B74 saw us or 10 Qua PAIENIEBnmsw'n 3.844.199

sum uauF 10 CUTTER FOR USE IN AUTOMATIC YARN TRANSFER SYSTEM BACKGROUNDOF THE iNvE TioN The present invention relates generally to an automaticyarn transfer system, and more particularly to an automatic yarntransfer-system in a winder for yarn and the like.

Yarn winding machines or winders are'used by all yarn producers, usuallyin batteries of dozens or even hundreds of such winding machines. Thesemachines are utilized to wind yarn onto a bobbin 'tube which is mountedon a rotatable chuck, in order to form a yarn package on the bobbintube. The threador yarn is usu-,

ally supplied directlyfrom a producer tothe winding apparatus. When ayarn package on the-winding apparatus has reached full size, that iswhen the yarn package has been completed, the incoming "running" yarnmust be cut, the bobbin tube with the package removed, a new bobbin tubeput in place on the chuck,

and the winder mustbe rethreadedwith the running.

yarn so that the yarn can begin to form anew package on the new bobbintube. The package size, shape, weight or the like usually vary widely,depending upon the requirements vof a particular order.

Textile mills using such winders usually. operate without interruptions,except for those caused by a breakdown. This means that thousands ofworkers, are ref. Finally, the yarn is manually brought to the chuck,

threaded-up (connected with the chuck) and winding of a new package onthe empty bobbin tube is begun.

During the time elapsed from the moment the running yarn has been drawnintothe aspirator and cut,

until the moment winding of a new package is begun, running yarn hasbeen drawn into the aspirator and ejected from the same into a wastebin, so that such yarn is lost and represents an effective loss ofmaterial.

, Considering the numbers of winders involved in such operations, andthe numbers of man-hours which must.

be spent in the manual re-stringing of winders every time a yarn packagehas been completed, and further taking into account the amount of yarnwhich is being quired to perform the necessary operations 24 hours aday, 7 days a week. ln part, the number of workers re quired is so highbecause each winding machine requires'the individual attention of anoperator every time a bobbin tube must be changed, that is every time apackage has been completed and a new bobbin 'tube must be put'in placeon the chuck and the winder reth readed. Evidently, this is veryexpensive in' terms of labor cost, especially-if small packages mustbeproduced, inasmuch as the heavier the yarn and the smaller thepackagethe more often the changing of bobbin tubes'and re-threading ofthe winder must be performed. i

It is known to provide winding apparatus or winders, as they willhereafter be called, with a single chuck or two chucks. If the winder isof the type having a single chuck, then the bobbin-tube changing andrethreading operation is particularly expensive interms of labor costs,because the threading-up operation of a singlechuck winder involvesthefollowing steps:

a. The incoming running" yarn must be drawn into lost during the timewhich elapses between completion of one package and starting-up of thenext package, it is evident that further improvements in the state ofthe art are not only desirable but indeed of the highest economicsignificance. However, to my knowledge these improvements have notheretofore been forthcoming in this field.

SUMMARY or THE- [INVENTION tion to provide a novel automatic yarntransfer system a string-up or thread-up aspirator and severed from thecompleted package. This is necessary because the yarn runs continuouslyand does not stopduring the'time required for removing the completedpackage and replacing it with a new bobbin tube.

b. The chuck on which the completed package is produced must be stoppedand the bobbin tube released from the chuck.

c. Thereupon, the bobbin tube carrying the completed package is removedfrom the chuck.

d. An empty bobbin tube is then placed onto the chuck and clamped inplace.

e. Now the chuck is started up again and its takeup speed synchronizedwith the speed of the running yarn.

for use in winders for yarn and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a novel yarn transfersystem for use with yarn'winders having two, three or more chucks.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such a yarn transfersystem which permits the automatic formation of a transfer tail on eachyarn package.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel yarn transfersystem in accordance with the present invention which makes it possiblefor a single winder to simultaneously operate with one or more runningthreads or yarns.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a system of thetype in question which makes it possible to produce yarn packages ofuniform yarn length and which, when yarn is subsequently withdrawn fromthem will deliver the yarn uniformly and without plucks.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a yarn transfersystem wherein the crossing and entangling of the running yarn isavoided, even though two or more yarns may be running simultaneously tothe same winder and be automatically transferred from chuck to chuckupon adhesion of the respective yarn packages.

. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved aspiratorfor use in conjunction which the novel automatic yarn transfer system ofthe present invention.

An additional object of the invention is to provide improved cutters forsevering the yarn prior to transfer from a completed package to a newchuck, and for severing yarn which runs through the aspirator and whichis being picked up by anew chuck for starting of a new yarn package.

In keeping with these objects, and with others which will becomeapparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides, brieflystated, ina yarn cutter for use in a winder for yarn which comprises adrive roll and at least two rotatable chucks each of which is adapted tocarrya bobbin tube and is movable into and out of driven engagement withthe drive roll. A traversing arrangement is provided for traversing arunning yarn which is being wound onto one of the chucks, so as to forma yarn package on the latter. Transfer means is provided for effectingthe automatictransfer of the runningyarn from the'one chuck upon formingof the yarn package thereon, to the other of the chucks. The cutter isof the anavil type in which the yarn enters between an anvil and acutting edge which is pressed against the anvil under fluid pressure tosever the yarn.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however,

both as to its construction and its method of operation,

together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be bestunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 13 is a top-plan view of the drive roll of the novel winder;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view on line 14-14 of FIG. 3, looking in thedirection of the indicated arrows;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary exploded detail view illustrating details ofvarious components of the aspirator of the winder in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary vertical section through the aspirator of FIGS.I-3 and 15, with the components of FIG. 15 shown in assembled condition;

FIG. 17 is an exploded detail view illustrating one type of yarn cutteremployed in the novel winder;

FIG. 18 is a front-elevational view of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 isa section taken on line 1919 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an exploded view illustrating details of the components ofanother type of yarn cutter employed in the novel winder;

FIG. 21 is a front elevation of the winder shown in FIG. 20;

FIGS. 22-27 are respective diagrammatic detail views showing a completeoperational sequence of the cutter in FIGS. 20 and 21; and

FIG. 28 is a pneumatic schematic illustrating an airlogic control systemfor controlling the functions of the novel winder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A winder employing the transfersystem according to the present invention should advantageously be ofthe surface drive type, that is it should have a drive roll which drivesthe rotatable chucks of the winder in response to contact of thesechucks with the circumferential surface of the drive roll. The driveroll should have a hollow stationary shaft upon which it rotates andthrough which the aspirator can discharge aspirator running yarn, in themanner to be described later. Two or more chucks should be provided, andif the winder has three chucks it is advantageous if two of them contactthe drive roll below a horizontal plane passing through its axis ofrotation and the third chuck contacts it above the horizontal plane andto one side of a vertical plane passing'through the axis of rotation. Atraverse arrangement for traversing the 'running yarn should be providedat the opposite side of the vertical plane, opposite the third chuck,and the chucks should mate ntrl xtqir rds anstaway frp the d iv roll,that is into and out of engagement therewith. With the above-generalcomments in mind, there will now be provided'a description of the basicmachine components of the novel winder provided with the automatic yarntransfer system.

THE BASIC MACHINE COMPONENTS Referring to FIGS. I-3, 13 and 14 it willbe seen that in these Figures I have illustrated details of the basicmachine components of the novel winder. Reference numeral 1 identifies adrive roll which is of the surface drive type and which is provided, asshown in FIG. 13, with a plurality of circumferentially extendingshallow grooves or flutes in its outer circumferential surface. Thepurpose of these flutes 130 is to assure that the yarn Y running incontact with the outer circumferential surface of the drive roll 1 andonto a respective one of the chucks which are to be described, will besomewhat retarded in the manner illustrated in FIG. 13. The drive rollrotates about a stationary hollow axis and is driven by a belt 2 whichreceives motion from an electromotor 3. At one side of a vertical planepassing through the axis of rotation of the drive roll 1 (see FIG. 2)there is provided a conventional traverse guide 4 of the type used inmost winders, which serves to traverse the running yarn axially of arespective chuck so as to wind a uniform package thereon. Referencenumeral 5 identifies a support on which the traverse guide 4, whoseconstruction and operation are conventional and therefore need not bedescribed in detail, is mounted.

To prevent the yarn from slipping off the package onto which it is beingwound when the yarn is displaced forwardly (up from the plane of FIG. 2,and to the left in FIG. 3), the traverse guide is provided at itsforward end with a yarn-intercepting portion 4a whose operation will bereadily evident from a perusal of FIGS. 2 and 3.

A yarn aspirator 6, which will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. and I6, is mounted on the drive roll so as to communicate with thehollow stationary shaft of the latter. This shaft, incidentally, isidentified with reference numeral la and extends to the rear of thewinder as shown in F IG. 3. This makes it possible for waste yarn thatis being discharged via the aspirator 6 and the shaft la, to becollected in appropriately placed bins or receptacles located at therear of the winder. It is conventional practice to discharge such wasteyarn into receptacles located at the front of the machine where they ofcourse hinder the movements of the operator who must service not one butseveral such winders and should therefore be able to move freely andconstitute a definite hazard. In addition, there is usually not muchspace available in front of these winders, especially when they areinstalled in form of batteries composed of many winders. This problem isovercome by the present invention because a receptacle located behindthe winder is out of the way and does'not present a hazard to theoperator who usually is required to move only in front of the winder.

In the illustrated embodiment the winder is provided with three chucksC1, C2 and C3 each of which is provided with a guide 7 permitting it tomove as indicated by the double-headed arrows, namely horizontallytowards and away from the drive roll 1. Two of the chucks, namely Cl andC2, are located so as to engage the drive roll 1 below a horizontalplane passing through the axis of rotation of the drive roll, and thechuck C3 is located so as to engage drive roll 1 above the chuck C2namely to the left of a vertical plane passing through the axis ofrotation of the drive roll and opposite the traverse guide 4. Referencenumeral 8 diagrammatically indicate drives for the chucks C1, C2 and C3so that the chucks can be moved along the guides 7. The chucks areadvantageously pneumatically operated so as to clampingly engage abobbin tube (not shown) which is slipped over them and on which therespective yarn package is to be wound.

The swing arm 9, whose operation and purpose will be described later, ismounted on a support 10 for pivotal movement about a pivot axis 11. Thispivotal movement is transmitted to the swing arm 9 and the support 10via a pneumatically operated cylinder and piston unit 12. In the regionof its lower end the swing arm 9 carries a shaped yarn guide plate13'and a yarn cutter 16, the details of which latter will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 17-19.

The swing arm 9 could, incidentally, be replaced by another componentwhich performs the same function concerning the movement of the yarn.Thus, a cylinder and piston unit could be used, having the plate 13 andthe cutter 16 mounted on it. This would require mere straight-lineextension and retraction, rather than a pivoting movement and would savespace.

Reference numeral 14 designates a control cabinet provided with aplurality of function-controlling switches 15, for instance taggleswitches.

The free end of each of the chucks C1, C2 and C3 carries a'further yarncutter 17 which serves not only for cutting but also for previouslypicking up the yarn which is being transferred to the respective chuck.Details of the cutter 17 will be described later with reference to FIGS.20-27.

The aspirator 6 is turnable in clockwise direction about the hollowstationary axis of the drive roll 1, as will be described subsequently,and can be arrested at several predetermined positions. For this purposethe axis la carries a registration plate 8 which rotates with it andwhich is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes 19.A shot pin 20 can be advanced into, and retracted from the respectiveholes 19 by a pneumatic cylinder 21 which is mounted on a fixedcomponent of the winder. Thus, depending upon the particular hole 19 ofthe plate 18 into which the shot pin 20 enters, the plate 18 and therebythe aspirator 6 can be arrested at predetermined angular positions whichare designated with reference characters I, II, III and IV,respectively, in FIG. 14. The direction of rota tion of the plate 18 isindicated by the arrow associated with it in FIG. 14.

Mounted in the illustrated embodiment on the control cabinet 14 of FIG.1 are various yarn guides and pushers. These are designated as top guideTG, bottom guide BG, yarn pusher YPA, yarn pusher YPB, and yarn pusherYPC. Each of the guides and pushers is provided with a pneumaticallyoperated cylinder and piston unit which effects movement of therespective guide or pusher in the direction indicated by the respectivedouble-headed arrows.

The top guides and bottom guides TG and BG each comprise the illustratedpigtail yarn guides and it is their purpose to position the two runningyarns for pickup by yarn guides, which are attached to the yarn pushersYPA and YPB, at transfer time. The guides TG and BG operate twice everysix transfer cycles, namely on the first and on the fourth transfercycle. The yarn pushers YPA and YPB serve to pick up the respectiverunning yarns and to push them out of engagement with the traverse guide4 towards the swing arm 9, in readiness for pickup by the guide plate 13of the latter. This pickup occurs as the swing arm 9 moves forward(towards the left in FIG. 3) and the cylinders associated with thepushers YPA and YPB retract the same before the swing arm moves back toits normal broken-line position in FIG. 3. The pusher YPA operates onthe first, third, fourth and sixth transfer cycles and the pusher YPBoperates on the second and fifth cycle. The yarn pusher YPC serves topush both of the running yarns out of the traverse guide 4simultaneously. It will operate to do so at the same time as the pusherYPA, namely on the first, seventh, thirteenth, etc. transfer cycles. Thepusher YPC retracts immediately after one of the running yarn has beendrawn into the aspirator 6, thus allowing the other running yarn to moveback into engagement with the traverse guide 4. The purpose of thepusher type YPC is to eliminate crossed and entangled yarns duringtransfer operations.

The operation of the automatic yarn transfer system will now bedescribed with reference to the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 4-12.

OPERATION OF THE YARN TRANSFER SYSTEM FIGS. 4-12 illustrate oneoperational sequence of the novel winder, and the following descriptionshould be taken in conjunction with these Figures as well as with FIG.28.

When the first yarn is to be strung up in the first operating cycle,which has been designated as the front yarn FY, it is passed through thepigtail associated with the top guide TG. By means of the switches ofthe control cabinet 14 the winder is now activated and the cylinder 21withdraws the shot pin from the hole 19 of position III. At this timethe cam switch 281b (see FIG. 28) is lifted, causing the chuck C1 tomove into engagement with the drive roll 1. Just afterwards the camswitch 284b is lifted resulting in the yarn pushers YPA and YPC beingextended (towards the left in FIG. I) and at the same time the swing arm9 moves forwardly to the full-line position shown in FIG. 3. It shouldbe noted that although the yarn pushers YPA and YPB are each controlledby its own cam switch 284a and 2856, respectively, these cam switchesare interconnected with the switch 284b which operates the swing arm 9so that it is the operation of the latter which controls the timing andmovement of the yarn pushers YPA and YPC. A pneumatic delay is builtinto the operation of the swing arm 9 so that the latter moves to thefull-line position of FIG. 3 only after the yarn pushers YPA and YPChave been extended.

As these operations have been proceeding, the plate 18 has been rotatingand the shot pin 20, which is permanently urged into engagement with thefacing surface of the plate 18, now drops into the hole 19 correspondingto the transfer position IV; at the same time the shot pin delay camswitch 285a drops, starting a pneumatic delay which allows the shot pin20 to hold the mechanism in this position for a preset period of time.When the swing arm 9 reaches its full line position of FIG. 3 the yarncutter 16 on the swing arm is operated. This can forinstance be effectedby permitting a magnetically operated reed switch to activate a solenoidwhich permits the flow of air to the cutter 16. Since at this time thereis no yarn going through the cutter, the sequence thus far referringonly to a stringup operation, there will of course be no actual cuttingtaking place. The flow of air admitted to the cutter 16 also operates avalve which causes the cylinder of the yarn pusher YPC to retract. Atthe end of the predetermined delay period the shot pin 20 is retractedfrom the hole corresponding to the transfer position IV and the plate 18now rotates until the shot pin enters into the hole corresponding toposition I. At this time the free end or open end of the aspirator 6,into which the front yarn FY has been passing, is located adjacent chuckCl. At the same time as the shot pin 20 enters position I, cam switch285a drops and activates the hold sequence while cam switch 284b isreleased and allows yarn pusher YPA to retract, followed after apneumatic delay by retraction of the swing arm 9 to the brokenlineposition of FIG. 3. This return movement of the swing arm 9 permits thefront yarn FY to recede from the plane of the drawing (see FIG. 6) sothat it comes into range of and is engaged by the pick-up and cutterdevice 17 on chuck C1; this device picks up the yarn from the aspirator6, forms a yarn transfer tail and at the same time severs the yarn fromthat which is already in the aspirator 6, and yarn can now begin to windonto the chuck Cl. By this time the predetermined delay period iscompleted and shot pin 20 is retracted from position I, allowing theaspirator 6 to continue moving in clockwise direction. As this takesplace, cam switch 285b is lifted to prevent the shot pin 20 fromentering into the hole at position II so that the aspirator 6 and theplate 18 will continue to rotate until the shot pin reaches and entersinto the hole at position number Ill, but is the rest position. Duringthis time,

cam switch 282b drops and chuck C2 which previously may have been inengagment with the drive roll 1, moves out of engagement therewith.

In the second operating cycle, the second or rear yarn Ry is now strungup on the machine. This is passed through the pigtail guide of thebottom guide BG and the free end of the yarn is then run into theaspirator 6. The machine is started up again via the switches of controlcabinet 14, with the result that the shot pin 20 pulls out of the holeat position III and the aspirator begins to rotate. Cam switch 282b islifted and causes chuck C2 to move back into engagement with the driveroll 1. As the aspirator 6 continues to move in clockwise directiontowards the transfer position IV, cam switch 284b is lifted and causesyarn pusher YPB to be extended, followed after a pneumatic delay bymovement of swing arm 9 to the full-line position of FIG. 3. The yarn RYis now engaged and severed by the cutter 17 on chuck C2, so that windingcommences onto this chuck. With both yarns now strung up, operation isautomatic from here on. The machine is now ready for transfer of yarn FYfrom chuck C1 to chuck C3 during the third operating cycle.

Subsequently shot pin 20 enters the hole at transfer position IV' and atthe same time cam switch 285a drops, activating the present delay. Asthe swing arm 9 reaches its full-line position in FIG. 3, cutter 16operates but since this is still a string-up operation no yarn will bepresent and none can be cut. At the end of the predetermined delay theshot pin 20 pulls out of the hole at transfer position IV andtheaspirator 6 continues to rotate in clockwise direction. As it does so,cam switch 285b is lifted and, in conjunction with the already activatedcam switch 284a, the yarn pusher YPA is now caused to extend (towardsthe left in FIG. 1). The yarn guide provided on the yarn pusher YPA thenpushes out the front yarn FY towards the left (in FIGS. I and 10),causing it to be disengaged by the traverse guide 4. After theearlier-mentioned time delay, the swing arm 9 moves forwardly to thefull line position FIG. 3,'picking up the front yarn FY with its guideplate 13. Meanwhile, the aspirator 6 has continued to rotate inclockwise direction and the shot pin 20 now enters into the hole attransfer position IV, and at the same time cam switch 285a drops tostart the preprogrammed delay period. As the swing arm 9 reaches the endof its forward travel, that is moves finally into the position shown infull lines in FIG. 3, its cutter 16 operates; and cuts the yarn which isengaged by the guide plate 13. Since the yarn is located directlyadjacent and in front of the open end of the aspirator 6 at this time,the yarn is sucked into; the aspirator 6 and passes through the axis 1ato be accommodated in a waste bin or the like located at the rear of thewinder. Subsequence to the cutting of the arm and its engagement by theaspirator 6, the pre-programmed delay is completed, the shot pin 20pulls out of the hole at position IV and the aspirator 6 begins itsclockwise travel again. Because at this time the cam switch 285b isactivated, the shot pin 20 does not enter into the holes at positions Iand II, but will enter only into the hole at position III at which timethe free end of the aspirator with the front yarn FY which iscontinuously running into the latter, will be located opposite chuck C3.During the travel of the aspirator 6 to this position, cam switch 28lbdrops and causes chuck C1 to move away from the drive roll 1, that istowards the right in FIG. 10. At

the same time as the spot pin 20 enters into the hole at position III,the cam switch 2841) is released and causes the cylinder of yarn pusherYPA to retract the same, followed after the programmed delay by movementof the swing arm 9 back to its broken-line position of FIG. 3. Thismovement allows the yarn FY to recede enough from the plane of thedrawing in FIG. so that it can come in contact with a pickup and cutterdevice 17 on chuck C3 which device entrains the yarn, forming a transfertail, and cuts it off the portion already in the aspirator 6. Since thechuck C3 of course rotates at this time due to its engagement with thedrive roll 1, winding of a yarn package on chuck C3 now begins.

At this time the operator (or even an automatic doffing mechanism)removes the yarn package from chuck Cl, and also during this time thewinder now forms yarn packages on chucks C2 and C3.

When the yarn package on chuck C2 is completed the fourth cyclecommences. The shot pin is withdrawn from the hole at position Ill,permitting the aspirator to begin its clockwise movement. Cam switch28lb lifts, causing chuck C l (on which a new bobbin tube has beeninstalled) to move into engagement with the drive roll 1. This is theposition shown in FIG. 11. Yarn guide TG now moves rearwardly and guideBG moves forwardly, each with its associated yarn. Cam switch 283b alsolifts, immediately followed by cam switch 284b, so that the yarn pusherYPA is extended to the left and pushes the yarn RY to the same directionand out of engagement with the traverse guide 4. After the programmeddelay the swing arm 9 moves forwardly to the full line position of FIG.3 and its guide plate 13 engages the yarn RY and pushes it forwardly forengagement by the aspirator 6 whose free end will become positionedadjacent the rear yarn RY when the shot pin 20 enters into the hole attransfer position IV, at which time the aspirator 6 is temporarilyarrested as the cam switch 285a drops to initiate the programmed delay.The positioning of the aspirator 6 by entry of the shot pin into thehole at transfer position IV takes place just as the swingarm 9 reachesthe full-line position and its cutter 16 cuts the yarn, so as to severit from the package which has been formed on chuck C2 and to permit thecut end (the free end of the incoming running yarn) to be drawn into theaspirator 6.

After the pre-programmed delay in the movement of the aspirator 6 hasended, which delay is of course so selected as to be just long enough topermit the proper positioning of the yarn and its engagement by theaspirator, shot pin 20 is pulled out of the hole at position IV and theaspirator 6 moves in clockwise direction until the shot pin 20 reachesthe hole at position I into which it engages, thus arresting the freeend of the aspi rator adjacent the free end of the chuck Cl. Cam switch285a now drops, initiating a further delay and at the same time switch28% drops, causing pusher YPA to retract and swing arm 9 to move back toits brokenline position. This latter movement permits the rear yarn RYwhich is engaged by the aspirator (see FIG. 11) to come into range ofthe pickup and cutter device 17 on the free end of chuck'C l, whichdevice engages the yarn and cuts it, whereupon winding of a package onchuck Cl begins. When the programmed delay has ended, shot pin 20 isretracted from the hole at position I and aspirator 6 continues to movein clockwise direction. Cam switch 285b is lifted and prevents shot pin20 from entering into the hole at position ll, so that the aspiratorcontinues to move in clockwise direction until the shot pin enters intothe hole at position III and the aspirator has reached its rest positionagain. During the movement of the aspirator to this rest position, camswitch 282!) drops, causing chuck C2 to move towards the left in FIG. 11out of engagement with the drive roll 1, so that the package on chuck C2can be removed. Also, cam switch 284a drops and cam switch 281a lifts,in preparation for movement of the appropriate yarn pushers during thenext operating cycle.

This fifth operating cycle begins when the yarn package on chuck C3 hasreached its desired size and the shot pin 20 is retracted from the holeat position III, permitting the aspirator 6 to move in clockwisedirection. At the same time, cam switch 282!) lifts, permitting chuck C2to move back into engagement with the drive roll 1, and cam switch 284bis operated. This causes the yarn pusher YPB to extend and push thefront yarn FY, which has been running onto chuck C3, to the left and outof engagement with the traverse guide 4. After the previously mentioneddelay, the swing arm 9 moves forwardly, engaging the front yarn FY withits guide plate 13 and pushing the front yarn FY to the left, that is tothe position shown in FIG. 3. The shot pin 20 now enters into the holeat transfer position IV as a result of continued movement of theaspirator 6, and at the same time cam switch 285a drops and initiatesthe programmed delay. When the swing arm 9 reaches its full lineposition in FIG. 3, the front yarn FY is cut by its cutter l6 and thefree end of the running front yarn FY is engaged and drawn into theaspirator 6 which is in position to do so at this time. Upon completionof the delay period the shot pin 20 is withdrawn from the hole atposition IV and aspirator 6 again moves in clockwise direction. Camswitch 285b is lifted so that shot pin 20 bypasses the hole at positionI, and subsequently switch 285b drops so that the shot pin will thenenter into the hole at position II so that the free end of the aspirator6 is located opposite the free end of chuck C2. Cam switch 285a nowdrops, initiating a further delay and at the same time cam switch 28%also drops, causing pusher YPB to retract and subsequently the swing arm9 to move back to its broken line position. This allows the yarn FY tobe engaged and entrained by the pickup and cutter device 17 on chuck C2(see FIG. 12) and to be cut so that it can then be wound onto the chuckC2. At the end of the delay period the shot pin 20 is withdrawn from thehole at position II and the aspirator continues to move until its shotpin enters into the hole at rest position III. During movement to thisrest position the cam switch 281a drops and the switch 284a is lifted,preparing the yarn pushers for the next operating cycle. During thistime, also, the cam switch 283 drops and causes chuck C3 to move towardsthe left, away from the drive roll 1 so that the yarn package on thischuck can be doffed.

The sixth cycle begins as the yarn package on chuck Cl has reached fullsize and the yarn running onto chuck Cl, namely the yarn RY, is to betransferred to chuck C3. To initiate this cycle the shot pin 20 iswithdrawn from the hole at position III and the aspirator begins to movein clockwise direction. Cam switch 283a lifts and causes chuck C3, fromwhich the package has been removed and on which a new empty bobbin tubehas been installed to move towards the right irito contact with thedrive roll 1. Cam switch 284!) lifts, causing the yarn pusher YPA toextend towards the left and pick up the rear yarn RY which is runningonto chuck Cl. Swing arm 9 moves forward to its extended position,picking up the yarns RY with its plate 13 and holding it ready forengagement by the aspirator 6. When the aspirator 6 has reached thetransfer position IV the shot pin enters into the hole at that positionand at the same time cam switch 285a drops, initiating the programmeddelay. As the swing arm 9 reaches its full line position the cutter 16cuts the rear yarn RY running onto the chuck cl, so that the loose endof the running yarn can be aspirated into the aspirator 6. At the end ofthe delay the shot pin 20 is withdrawn from the hole at position IV sothat aspirator 6 can continue to rotate in clockwise direction.Meanwhile, cam switch 285b has been raised so that the shot pin bypassesthe holes at position I and II and enters only into the hole at positionIII after cam switch 285b has dropped again. At the same time, camswitch 285a drops and initiates a further delay, and also cam switch284b drops and causes the yarn pusher YPA to retract. Subsequently,swing arm 9 returns to its retracted position (the broken-line positionin FIG. 3), permitting the rear yarn RY which is engaged by the guideplate 13 to move into contact with the pickup and cutter device 17 onthe free end of chuck C3, which device entrains the yarn RY and cuts itoff the portion in the aspirator, so that the yarn can now wind ontochuck C3. Cam switch 281b drops and causes chuck C1 to move out ofengagement with the drive roll 1 for removal of the tinished yarnpackage.

The six operating cycles constitute a complete operating sequence of thewinder and are constantly repeated in this sequence. However, becausethe first cycle described herein was actually a string-up cycle and didnot take place as part of the automatic operation of the winder, it isnecessary to examine one more cycle which is the first cycle of theoperating sequence when the winder operates fully automatically. This isnecessary because one of the operations which took place in the firstcycle previously described produced no direct result, namely theoperation relating to the movement of the yarn pusher'YPC. A comparisonof the cycle description which follows with the description of the firstcycle that was given earlier will show the difference. When yarn is tobe transferred from chuck C2 to chuck Cl upon completion of the packageon the former, the shot pin 20 is-withdrawn from the hole at position I"and the aspirator begins to move in clockwise direction. yarn guide TGnow moves forward and guide BG moves rearward, each with its associatedyarn. Cam switch 281b lifts, causing chuck C1 to move into engagementwith the drive roll 1, and cam switch 283b drops. Approximately at thesame time cam switch 285C lifts, preparing pusher YPC for movement. Thistakes place as cam switch 284b lifts, causing the yarn pusher YPA abdYPC to move out towards the left, resulting in pushing-out of both ofthe yarns FY and RY out of engagement with the traverse guide 4.Subsequently, the swing arm 9 moves to its forward full-line position inFIG. 3, picking up both of the yarns FY and RY with its guide plate 13which for this purpose is provided with two separate pick-up notches asshown in FIG. I. The yarn which has been moved out by pusher YPA andwhich is at this time running onto chuck C2, is engaged by the cutter 16on the swing arm, whereas the yarn pushed forward by the pusher YPC ismerely picked up by one of the notches on the plate 13.

Now the shot pin 20 enters into the hole at transfer position IV and atthe same time cam switch 285a drops, initiating the programmed delay.When the swing arm 9 reaches its forward position, that is the full-lineposition, the yarn running onto the chuck C2 and engaged by the cutter16 is cut by the latter, and its free end is picked up by the aspirator6 into which it is drawn. At this time the pusher YPC is retracted, forinstance by operating a valve which switches off the supply of air toits cylinder in response to operation of the cutter 16, and the yarnengaged by the pusher YPC can thus move back into engagement with thetraverse guide 4. At the end of the delay the shot pin 20 is withdrawnfrom the hole at position IV and the aspirator 6 continues to move inclockwise direction until the shot pin 20 enters into the hole atposition I and cam switch 285a drops, initiating a further delay. Alsoat the same time, cam switch 284b drops to permit pusher YPA to retractand swing arm 9 to move back to its broken line position, thus allowingthe yarn engaged by the swing arm to become engaged and entrained by thepickup and cutter device 17 on chuck Cl, whereupon it will be cut andbegin to wind onto the chuck C 1. At the end of the delay the hot pin 20is withdrawn from the hole at position I and the cam switch 285k islifted, so that as the aspirator 6 continues to move in clockwisedirection it will bypass the hole at position II and its shot pin willenter into the hole at position III. During this movement the cam switch282b drops, causing chuck C2 to move out of engagement with the driveroll 1 so that the yarn package can be removed from this chuck. Also,cam switch 285C drops and switches 284a and 281a respectively drop andrise in order to prepare pushers YPA and YPB for the next operatingcycle.

The periods at which transfer of yarn from one chuck to another isinitiated will depend upon the size of yarn packages to be formed on therespective chuck; a timer can be provided which can be set as desired inaccordance with the time period required for a yarn package of desiredsize to be formed on a respective chuck. The respective yarn will ofcourse always be in contact with the circumferential surface of thedrive roll as it runs onto one of the chucks or is transferred from oneto another chuck.

It is clear that this construction two yarn packages are being woundsimultaneously and that the yarn (whether there be one or more) willalways run continuously without ever having to stop due to the face thatduring the transfer of yarn from one chuck to another the running yarnpasses through the aspirator and out the open end of the axis la at therear side of the apparatus. Also, the provision of the yarn pushers YPAand YPB, and their guides TG and BG, assures that the problem of crossedand entangled yarns is avoided, because the yarn to be transferred fromone chuck to another can be made to pass behind the running yarn (whichis being wound onto a package that is not yet completed), wherebycrossing and entangling of the yarns is avoided.

At such times as the problem of crossed and tangled yarns could occur(in the absence of the provisions made herein) the yarn pushers andguides are appropriately operated. If it is assumed that the second yarnclosest to the plane of FIG. 2 (and left-most in FIG. 3) is the runningyarn which is provided in guide BG and being wound onto a package, andthe first yarn behind it is provided in TG and has completed theformation of a package and is to be transferred to a waiting reservechuck, then transferring the first yarn would obviously cause it totangle with the second yarn. This is avoided by operating guide BG whichshifts the second yarn rearwardly with reference to the plane of FIG. 2,and operating guide TG which shifts the first yarn forwardly withreference-to the same plane. Now, pusher YPA is operated to shift thefirst yarn to the left in FIG. 2, the pusher YPC is operated to shiftthe second yarn in the same direction but not quite as far as the pusherYPA shifts its first yarn to the left. Both yarns now continue to runin'parallel and are engaged by the guide plate 13 of the swing arm 9into the two notches of which they respectively enter. This effectivelyavoids any tangling orcrossing of the yarns, as well as rubbing of thesame against each other, which could lead to yarn damage.

The first yarn can now be engaged by the aspirator as previouslydescribed, and cut off for the package onto which it has been winding,by the swing arm cutter 16. At this time, the second yarn is allowed toreturn into engagement with the guide element of the traverse guide 4,by retracting yarn pusher YPC (to the right in FIG. 2), which yarnpusher is operated in response to operation of the swing arm cutter 16.

It is also possible to make the speed at which the swing arm 9 isretracted from its full-line position to its broken line position inFIG. 3, variable so that a variation in the length of the transfer tailbeing formed on the respective package can be obtained. This will bedescribed in more detail later with respect to FIGS. 20-27.

THE YARN ASPIRATOR Details of the aspirator 6 are illustrated in FIGS.and 16. The aspirator has certain features which are most important inconjunction with the overall operation of the novel winder. On the onehand, the con struction of the aspirator, details of which will bediscussed presently, assures that the yarn can easily and with strongsu'ction be drawn through a l80 bend which is required in order topermit the yarn to be passed through the axis la of the drive roll tothe rear side of the winder, contrary toconventional practice where theyarn is discharged at the front of the winder. Furthermore, thedischarge of the waste yarn in this manner, namely to the rear of thewinder, is possible at all only by having the aspirator 6 mounted on thehollow axis la of the drive roll, thereby greatly simplifying thedisposal of waste yarn as outlined earlier.

In addition the particular mounting of the aspirator, which has beenchosen in accordance with the present invention, provides the aspiratorat a location which is ideal for wrapping the yarn engaged by theaspirator around the drive roll, and in particular wrapping it aroundthe drive roll in the direction of the running yarn being wound. Theaspirator can thus reach all ofthe' chucks equally well and uniformly,and simplicity of yarn transfer is thus achieved with a minimum ofcomplicated construction.

With this in mind it will be seen that FIGS. 15 and 16 show details 'ofthe aspirator 6. Reference numeral 160 identifies an outer tubeintowhich air is blown in the direction of the arrows in .FIG. 16, andreference numeral 161 identifies an inner tube which is curved insubstantial U-shape and through which air is drawn, also in direction ofthe arrows shown in FIG. 16. The interior passage of the tube 161 isidentified with reference numeral 166. The end portion of the tube 161is identified with reference numeral 162 and a cross tube extending fromthe tube with which it communicates, to the end portion 162, isidentified with reference numeral 163. Reference numeral 164 designatesan annular passage formed in the end portion 162, and reference numeral165 designates screw threads formed in the free end of the end portion162. The inlet end of the passage 166 is designated with referencenumeral 166a.

A cap 167 (omitted in FIG. 15) is provided which can be threaded ontothe screw threads 165 of the end portion 162. It has a transverse endwall 167a which is formed with an inlet opening 168 into which yarn Y isto be aspirated. A cylindrical member 169 is located within the confinesof the cap 167 and provided with a center passage 170 and with aplurality of axially extending grooves 171 in its outer circumferentialsurface. An O-ring 172 is compressed between the member 169 and the freeend of the end portion 162 so as to seal the passage 164 from thepassage 166a. A cylindrical guide member 173 is located in the passage170 of the member 169 and is itself provided with a center passage 175which communicates with the opening 168 and with the inlet end 166a ofthe passage 166. The outer circumferential surface of the member 173 isformed with a plurality of helically twisted grooves 174 which alsocommunicate with the inlet end 166a and, in addition, with a space 167bexisting between a sealing member 176 and the member 169, so that thegrooves 174 are in communication with the grooves 171 as shown in FIG.16. It will be appreciated that as air underpressure is blown throughthe outer tube 160 it will pass via the tube 163 into the grooves 169,from there into the space l67b and then into the grooves 174 toissueinto the inlet end 166a of the tube 161. This creates suction in thetube 161, drawing the yarn Y into the inlet end 168. Due to the factthat the air is caused to swirl on entry into the inlet end 166a, as aresult of its passage through the helical grooves 174, a particularlygood aspirating effect is obtained which reliably assures the passage ofthe yarn Y through the bend in the tube 161 and into the axis 10.

THE SWING ARM YARN CUTTER Another important feature according to thepresent invention is the yarn cutter 16 provided in the swing arm 9.This cutter is of the anvil type and is necessary to sever the runningyarn from the yarn package that has already been formed on one of thechucks. The cutter must be highly reliable and rapid in its operation,and must be operable at a required moment in time.

Such a construction is obtained with the cutter 16 which is illustratedin more detail in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19. As shown there, reference numeraldesignates a housing that is mounted, as diagrammatically illustrated inFIG. 19, on the swing arm 9. The housing 190 is formed with an interiorchamber 191 which has an open side. Furthermore, the housing 190 is alsoprovided with a bore 192 which communicates with the chamber 101 in theregion of the closed side (the rear wall) of the chamber 191. This borecan be connected with a pneumatic conduit 193 which has beendiagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 19. A cover plate or anvil member194 is provided which can be secured; to the housing 190 insuitable'manner, for instance by means of screws through the illustratedholes, so as to overly the open side of the'chamber 191. FIG. 19 showsparticularlyclearly that the member 194 is provided with suitableapertures, such as the holes 196 (compare also FIG. 17) which extendfrom its side facing towards to its side facing outwardly away from theopen side of the chamber 191. The side facing outwardly away from thechamber 191 is provided with a leaf-spring 195 which is secured to themember 194 in appropriate manner, for instance by rivetting, by means ofa screw or the like and a portion of which overlies the holes 196 asshown in FIG. 17. The side of the member 194 which faces the chamber 191is recessed as best shown in FIGS. 17 and 19. The rear wall of thechamber 191 is provided with a projecting stud 197-(see FIG. 19) andforwardly of the same there is lodged in the chamber 191 a diaphragm 198which may also be provided with a projection 199 which engages the stud197. The diaphragm 198 is so located that the bore 192 communicates withthe chamber 191 rearwardly. of the diaphragm 198. Forwardly if thediaphragm 198 there is accommodated in the chamber 191 a punch member200 carrying at its side facing the anvil member 194 a projectingcutting edge 202. At opposite lateral sides of the cutting edge 202there are providedtwo projections or pins 201 which extend into theholes 196 of the member 194. These are locating pins located on a commonline transversely'of the elongation of the cutting edge 202.

In operation of the cutter l6, yarn engaged by the plate 13 of arm 9will be drawn into the space between the open side of the chamber 191and the facing surface of theanvil member 194.v It will thus extendacross the cutting edge 202, being located in this position as it entersthe space by the locating pins 201. This is shown most clearly in brokenlines in FIG. 18.

When compressed air is admitted via the bore 192 into the chamber 199behind the diaphragm 198, the

spacing of which latter from the rear wall of the chamber is assured bycooperation of the portions 197 and 199, the diaphragm will be rapidlyflexed outwardly (towards the right in FIG. 19), pushing the punchmember 200 in the same direction. This causes the cutting edge 202 tocooperate with the anvil member 194, cutting the yarn Y located betweenthe cutting edge and the anvil member 194 in a rapid and cleanoperation. The movement of the member 200 towards the right causes thelocating pins 201 which are carried on the member 200 to deflect thespring 195 outwardly (towards the right in FIG. 19). Upon termination ofthe momentary admission of compressed air via the bore 192, the spring195 thus returns the member 200 to its position inwardly of the openside of the chamber 191, by pushing against the locating pins 201.

The cutter will thus be seen to be highly reliable in its operation,because the yarn Y will always be located in proper position relative tothe cutting edge 202, extending across the same and being maintained inthis position by the locating pins 201. Furthermore, due to the factthat the member 200 is always returned within the chamber 191immediately upon termination of the admission of compressed air, thespace for admission of the yarn Y to be cut, is always unobstructed.

THE YARN PICK-UP AND CUTTER DEVICE QNIHQQHHQK Another very importantcomponent of the apparatus according to the present invention is theyarn pick-up and cutter devices 17, of which one is provided on the freeend of each of the chucks C1, C2 and C3. The construction of the device17 is shown in detail in FIGS. 20 and 21, and its operation is shownsequentially in FIGS. 22-27.

Discussing firstly FIGS. 20 and 21 it will be seen that eachdevice 17comprises a mounting member 219 which may be of substantiallycylindrical configuration, as shown. This mounting member is secured inappropriate manner forming no part of the present invention,

on the free end of the respective chuck. An exposed end face 210a of themounting member 210, which end face faces axially away from the chuck onwhich the member is mounted, has secured to it in overlying relationshipbut with some spacing from the surface 210a, a yarn engaging member 211of the particular configuration which is shown most clearly in FIG. 20.The member .211 has in its arcuately recessed side two depressions,namely a smaller depression or recess 210 and a larger depression orrecess 220.It is further provided with two rounded lobes 217 and 218 ofwhich the latter separates the recesses 219 and 220 as'shown. A cutterblade 212 is releasably mounted on the side of the member 211 whichfaces awayfrom the surface 210a, bridging the recess 220 somewhatinwardly of the open side thereof. It should be noted that the thicknessof the member 211, that is its dimension measured between its twoopposite major surfaces, increases from the end which is the right-handend in F 1G. 20 towards the left-hand end. Thus, when the member 211 ismounted on the surface 210a, it can be in direct engagement with thissurface at its left-hand end and will yet be spaced from thesurface 210ain the region of the recesses 219 and 220 and the lobes 217 and 218.

A pair of holes 216 are provided in the surface 210a from which theyextend inwardly, and a wire bracket 213 of substantially U-shapedoutlines has its two legs received in these holes 216, respectively. Apusher pin 214 is provided having a portion of reduced cross sectionwhich is received in and serves as a guide for a helical expansionspring 215, the latter bearing upon the surface 210a or, preferably,additional hole formed therein. Thus, the spring 215 urges the bracket213 outwardly away from the surface 210a and into biased engagement withthat side of the member 211 which faces the surface 210a. The locationof the bracket 213 and of the pusher pin 214 are shown in broken linesin FIG. 21 with reference to the member 211. Located at opposite sidesof the bight portion of the bracket 213 are two locating pins 2l0b whichproject into engagement with the member 211 and serve, as will bediscussed presently, the same purpose as the locating pins 201 in FIG.'17.

The device 17 serves to pick up the running yarn which passes throughthe aspirator 6, when the inlet opening of the aspirator 6 is locatedadjacent the free end of the respective chuck, and thus adjacent thedevices 17 thereon. The yarn which is so held and passes through theaspirator, will be located forwardly of the device 17 due to the factthat it is pushed in such a position by the swing arm 9 which at thetime the aspirator being in part received in an 6 stops adjacent therespective chuck is in its full-line position shown in FIG. 3. When theswing arm 9 then moves back to its'broken line position shown in FIG. 3,the inclination of the running yarn coming from above and entering intothe aspirator 6 will change, that is the yarn will move into contactwith the member 210 so that is can be engaged by the device 17.

A sequence of operation of the device 17 is illustrated in FIGS. 22-27.FIG. 22 shows, by way of example, that the aspirator 6 is in such aposition as to have its open inlet end adjacent the chuck Cl which is inengagement with the drive roll 1 and is being rotated by the same. Theyarn Y passes through the diagrammatically illustrated traverse guide 4and around the drive roll 1 and enters the inlet of the aspirator 6 at apoint designated with reference numeral 221. In FIGS. 23-27 the showingof the drive roll and aspirator has been omitted for clarity and onlythe reference point 221 is illustrated. In other words, as far as thepickup device 17 is concerned, the point 221 to which the yarn extendsfrom above (after in this instance first passing around the driveroll 1) is stationary in space because the aspirator 6 does not ofcourse rotate during the pickup.

When the non-illustrated swing arm 9 moves back to its broken lineposition in FIG. 3, this changes the angle at which the yarn Y movesonto the drive roll 1, so that the yarn shifts on the drive roll axiallytowards the device 17 on the chuck C1, that is in the direction awayfrom the viewer of FIG. 22. That portion of the yarn which extends fromits point of last contact with the drive roll surface to the point 221at which it enters into the aspirator 6, will now move into the pickuprange of the device 17. In so doing it will be engaged during rotationof the chuck C1 by the lobe 217 as shown in FIG. 23. Since the chuckcontinues to rotate in counterclockwise direction (see FIG. 22) theengaged part of the yarn Y (which is held at point 221 will slip overthe rounded lobe 217 and enter the recess 219. This is shown in FIG. 24.During continuous rotation of the chuck C1 the yarn will now slipbetween the springbiassed bracket 213 and the member 211, to thus beclamped. It cannot slip out from under the bracket 213 again, because itmoves into contact with the locating pins 214 which prevent such apossibility. Since the yarn continues to be held at point 221, and sincethe chuck continues to rotate, the clamped yarn (the clamping positionis shown in FIG. 25) now takes a turn which places it across the cuttingedge ofthe blade 212, as shown in FIG. 26. As a result of this, the yarny is severed from that yarn portion which extends into the aspirator andthis latter yarn portion, now being free, is sucked away by theaspirator and ejected through the axis 1a. Now, the running yarn comingfrom the traverse guide 4 is being wound onto the chuck Cl. That portionof yarn Y which is clamped between the member 211 and the bracket 213,and which has been convoluted once or twice about the member 211 duringthe pick-up sequence just described, is a so-called transfer tail. thatis it will hang free out of the yarn package finally formed. This ishighly desirable because when such a packageis later on placed onto ayarn processing machine, the transfer tail of the working pack age (thepackage from which yarn is being withdrawn) is tied by the operator to asimilar transfer tail of a reserve package so that, when the firstpackage runs out, yarn will be immediately and automatically withdrawnfrom the reserve package, eliminating the necessity for stopping themachine to thread up the next package.

THE PNEUMATIC SYSTEM Coming, finally, to FIG. 28 it will be seen that inthis Figure there is illustrated a pneumatic control system forcontrolling the operations which have been described heretofore. FIG. 28is a pneumatic schematic and will be largely self-explanatory. Variouscomponents being controlled have been illustrated diagrammatically, andin particular there are shown the top guide TG, the bottom guide BG, theyarn pushers YPA, YPB and YPC. Also illustrated is the swing arm 9, thedrive roll 1 with the aspirator 6, and the chucks C1, C2 and C3.

The sequencing of the various operations is effected by means of aplurality of cams 281, 282,283,284 and 285 (see also FIG. 3) locatedadvantageously at the rear of the machine. For purposes of thediagrammatic illustration in FIG. 28, it is shown that each of the cams281-284 has two cam portions which are diagrammatically shown in FIG. 28as the cam portions 281a, 281b, 282a, 282b, 283a, 283b, 284a and 284b.The cam 285 has three cam portions 285a, 285b and 2850 (see also FIG.3). Each of these cam portions cooperates with a pneumatic switch whichare diagrammatically shown in FIG. 28 and are labelled. The connectionsbetween these switches and the various components being controlled bythem are shown in FIG. 28. The switch controlled by cam portions 281acontrols the operation of yarn pusher YPB, the switch controlled by camportion 28lb controls the movement of chuck C1 into and out ofengagement with the drive roll. The switch controlled by cam portion282a controls the program which effect return of the entire machine tostring-up position, the switch associated with cam portion 282b controlsthe movement of chuck C2 and that associated with cam portion 283acontrols the movement of chuck C3. The movements of top and bottomguides TG and BG are controlled by the switch associated with the camportion 283b, and the switch associated with cam portions 284a controlsmovement of the yarn pusher YPA. The swing arm 9 is controlled by theswitch associated with cam portions 28412 and the previously mentioneddelays in the retraction of the shot pin 20 from the holes at therespective locations IIV (which delay of course imposes thecorresponding delay in clockwise movement of the aspirator 6) arecontrolled by the switch associated with cam portion 285a. The actualmovement of the shot pin 20, or rather the cylinder 21 associatedtherewith, is controlled by the switch associated with cam portion 285b,and the movement of the yarn pusher YPC is controlled by the switchassociated with cam portion 2850. Thus, the operation of the machine canbe controlled by the air logic system shown in FIG. 28. Of course,details of the various air switches and their interconnection have beenomitted, because in themselves these features are not novel. It shouldalso be understood that the operation of the machine could be controlledin other ways, for instance electrically.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofapplications differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in ayarn winder having an auto-

1. A cutter for yarn and like filamentary material, comprising a housinghaving a chamber provided with an open side; a movable member tightlybut slidably accommodated in said chamber and having a surface facingoutwardly of said open side; an anvil member mounted on said housing andextending across said open side spaced therefrom by a distancesufficient to permit admission of a filamentary element between saidmovable member and said anvil member; a raised cutting edge provided onone of said members; a fluid inlet communicating with said chamberinwardly of said movable member for admission of pressure fluid servingto rapidly displace said movable member towards said anvil member sothat said cutting edge will sever an admitted filamentary element bycooperation of said movable member with said anvil member; resilientmeans resiliently urging said movable member inwardly of said open side;and locating means on one of said members for locating an admittedfilamentary element in direction transverse to said cutting edge,comprising abutment means at opposite sides of said cutting edge andpositioned on a line extending transverse thereof, said abutment meansprojecting beyond said cutting edge so as to intercept and locate theadmitted filamentary element.
 2. A cutter as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid cutting edge is provided on said surface and normally locatedinwardly of said open side; and wherein said abutment means comprises apair of pins.
 3. A cutter as defined in claim 2, said anvil memberhaving an inner face and an outer face which respectively face towardand away from said movable member, and being provided with a pair ofbores each extending from one to the other of said faces; wherein saidpins have respective free end portions each extending into one of saidbores and beyond said outer face at least when pressure fluid isadmitted into said chamber; and wherein said resilient means is providedat said outer face of said anvil member and overlies said bores so as tocontact said free end portions and urge the same and thereby saidmovable member inwardly of said open side.
 4. A cutter as defined inclaim 3, wherein said resilient means is a leaf spring mounted on saidanvil member.
 5. A cutter as defined in claim 1; and further comprisinga resiliently flexible diaphragm sealingly extending across said chamberintermediate said fluid inlet and said movable member in contact withthe latter, so as to be resiliently flexed in direction toward said openside and thereby impart motion to said movable member, in response toadmission of pressure fluid into said chamber.
 6. A cutter as defined inclaim 5, said chamber being in part bounded by a wall inwardly spacedfrom and opposite said open side; and wherein said diaphragm has aninner side facing away from said movable and toward said wall and beingprovided with a projection adapted for engagement with said wall so asto prevent displacement of said diaphragm by said resilient means intosurface-to-surface contact with said wall.
 7. A cutter as defined inclaim 1, wherein said chamber and said movable member are both ofcylindrical contour.